Save on Meats, big on philanthropy

When it comes to giving, the restaurant industry is there, especially when it comes to feeding.

Save on Meats is in the forefront when it comes to giving to the community; one of their many programs is partnering with Altira Women’s Resource Centre, a Downtown Eastside housing organization, to provide nutritious, sustainably sourced lunches to women in single room occupancies.

In essence, Save on Meats, run by restaurateur, Mark Brand, provides 480 meals a day, 365 days a year as well as for special events. “We’re sending out 1,400 pounds of nutritious food a week,” he says.

Recently, Brand set up a collaboration with Jeff Donnelly, of the Donnelly Group, which will buy products for its 14 pubs (including Bimini’s, Library Square, Lamplighter, Bar None and Republic) from Save on Meats.

“Jeff Donnelly and I have been friends for a long time,” says Brand. “When I approached him with the idea and outline the benefit to the Downtown Eastside community, he immediately agreed.”

The commissary, which produces the food provides work and training (for at-risk individuals with mental challenges and ex-convicts.

“We do get some funding from Altira for the lunch meals but it’s not very much. We make up the shortfall,” says Brand (who is also a partner in several Gastown restaurants). His goal is the expand the Altira program and is in talks with Hy’s Steakhouse to provide product, He welcomes other businesses to do the same.